This is my first post and I am really happy to share the news
For the tips section please scroll down First things first
1) This is my first attempt at GMAT
2) I have a dual degree - M.Sc. Mathematics with B.E. Computer Science => decently good at Mathematics
3) Decent English speaking and writing skills ( but not the level GMAT demands)
I joined a GMAT coaching center (CrackISB - not many would no about it) 5 months ago and realized that my 3 years in an IT company has put me completely out of shape in Maths. I spent considerable time solving OG problems and could pick speed. The preparation was very haphazard and not until the last month I was able to pick up pace.
Last 10 days I have spent writing 5 GMAT complete tests(GMATPrep and Manhattan GMAT) and numerous individual tests (800 score). I could pick speed and was practised hard to complete quant and verbal within the time.
D-day - My AWA was not so good. I could not put my points properly and was very concerned about spelling mistakes and I am not sure how well I put forward my opinions. IR was average, questions were tricky (and boring) and I did not put my full efforts to solve any of the problems. Took a break for 8 mins started my Quant and oh god I have never seen such tough Maths questions even in Manhattan GMAT. Rather than state it as tough, I would state it as tooooooo damn lenghty, so many calculations to do and this really hurt my concentration and by the time I was in the 30th question I realized that my score would not touch 50 in Quant. Question 34-37 were too easy.
Took another break for 8 mins had a Snickers and was completely focused on verbal during the break. Questions were not that tough but the level increased after I attempted my first RC. After that the questions were tough but somehow all the RC's looked quite familiar (this really helped me to get a good score. I am very confident that I scored 13 out of 13 in RC
). By the 25th question the level was really hard, I had guessed couple of questions in SC and spent time on CR's and by the 36th question it was really tough. The good part is I had lot of time left because of the RC's. I could spend 3 minutes on each of the question and eventually passed out with flying colors My Target score was 720 and I am really happy with the score.
Here are the list of tips
1) Read how I just BEAT the GMAT sticky threads - Those are real gems. You will not need anything more than that but just in case
2) CR's - If you do not find any of the options to be correct, read the first option again as we are used to skipping the first option in SC ( blame it on the involuntary actions of the brain). Always and always find out what the conclusion is. If you do not get that it is better to skip the CR.
3) SC - Rules rules and Rules - The only rule you must follow is that the sentence should sound good with the option you chose. Most of the time we analyze the SC, find out what is wrong and check for an answer which solves the issue. But there are always multiple issues in SC's so the option you chose might result in another error. It is very important that you re-read the sentence completely with the option you chose.
4) RC - Don't blindly read the RC. This is the scoring part in Verbal and it is very important that you understand every line in the RC. People might suggest you to read the RC in 3-4 minutes, but unless you understand what is the crux of the RC, you cannot score good. Spend extra 1-2 mins if required but see to it that you understand the RC. Also solve as many RC problems as possible especially the one's which talk about Women's rights and history. Reading about Womens suffrage and American foreign policy in Wikipedia will help you a lot.
5) Quant - There is no special tip here. If you are good at Maths you will surely score above 48. The difference between 48 and 51 will not exceed 40 points in most cases so it is very important you concentrate on Verbal score
Practice tests should help you pick speedGeneral tips
1) Manhattan GMAT tests - Very good and only 49 $
2) Manhattan Verbal - SC is a gem. There is no other book you need. RC and CR will give you a good idea about the model problems.
3) GMAT Prep Question Pack - very helpful, especially DS and SC questions. Concentrate on them couple of days before the exam.
4) Always write full length exams and never skip the AWA or IR while writing the GMAT prep exams. Make a habit not take to take more than 8 min breaks in between. Once your body gets used to proper prep tests, you will start scoring better. My scores in Manhattan improved from a paltry 590 to 670 in 10 days, simply because I could have the same concentration levels even after 4 hours.
5) Most importantly never think that you cannot score good in GMAT. My scores in Prep tests never crossed 700 - but the efforts you put in and your persistence will be the difference in the end
